Sluggish Checkmate

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liftingfaces

I've really been hoping to shore up my mid-game, but I keep seeming to lose tempo as I try and develop all of my pieces. I'm sure this is an issue for many who -- like me -- are not at the 1700+ ranking, maybe more like 1600+.

However, I have found ways of keeping enough pressure to create opportunities where I know I should be paying for my mistakes. Here is a game in which I won by checkmate, though I feel my play was very sluggish.

Can anyone recommend ways in which I might have kept my gameplay more succinct? I have trouble starting a line and adapting to off-book moves, or strange transpositions.

Thanks in advance.

...ryan

liftingfaces

thank you tony for your analysis. your variation on move 10. is quite interesting indeed. and regarding that rook move, you're totally right. i forgot i was eyeballing that checkmate on the back rank.

and i think i was more commenting on my mid-game being a little haphazard than i was the opening. though i do get squeemish when i am trying for book lines and get into unorthodox transpositions. i know i should be taking advantage of it, but it's also where i screw up usually.

the rest of your notes, all very valuable.

thanks again!

...ryan